Dealing with retention issues can be frustrating at times, and just to know that there are other schools/administrators dealing with similar issues is comforting.  I'll be returning to this board for continued support.  Thanks!

This was a great experience and this course enlightened me enormously. I think I will be a better instructor for having taken this course. Thank You most sincerely.

Traeting students as individuals and showing compassion and understanding is the start of the Retention procedure. Next is the encouragement, and positive reinforcement, encouraging their intelectual positiveness and their bright future helps the retention of these students. They need to feel that someone cares about them as a person and is prepared to mentor, support, lend a helping hand and be their guide and buddy and as well

The corse was interesting in some cases and a review in others.  The 1st week of orientation is important in any situation.  The big picture in life is a two-way street.  The student must remember their responsiblity to themselves as well as the institution and the Institution must rember their responsibilty to the student and their reputation.

I'm so glad that I took this course. I have so many ideas running through my head. I will be spending the weekend putting all of these ideas on paper so I can start implementing them ASAP.

This course was very beneficial in providing useful ideas to help with new student retention.

This course was insightful and had many great ideas that I plan to implement. I do agree with the area "Timing is Everything", this is so true. If I can get with my students at the onset of their issues I can usually save them from dropping. If they don't come to me until the last straw it's usually a little harder to save them and sometimes not possible.

I also try very hard to let them all know that I am available anytime! I know communication is difficult for some so I give them options of contacting me. They can… >>>

My school has a retention meeting each week. Where we go over the weekly retention and also identify students that may have issues. We roundtable discussions on what resources might be available to the student.

This course has helped me with more insight on tools that the school and faculty can use to help the students to stay focused on their goals etc...

This course was very informative.  I can't wait until week one of classes to utilize some of the retention tools suggested in this course!

I thought that RT 103 contained a lot of useful information that I will try to incorporate into my classes!

Of course student retention is very important and as an instructor , because we have so much contact with the students we have a lot of influence in affecting how well they do and if they will stay on course. There are many things we can do to help the students to iron out problems they may be experiencing. Firstly we have to connect with the students and help them feel comfortable with us so that they want to come to class but also that they feel they can talk to us about any issues they may have. We need… >>>

The first week is so important for the student.  I do like the fact that faculty should be included in orientation. This would help the students.  I have found giving a quiz on the course syllabi has worked very effectively, since some students do not listen to class assignments and grading and seem to try to buck the system.  It works!!!!

I must say, this course has inspired me to create a fantastic and informative orientation for my future students!

As a fairly new Instructor, I was hired in the middle of the school year. Which meant I was not present at my current students orientation several months ago. This has provided many challenges for me. Such as being able to establish my own requirements of my students, goals, and overall tone in my classroom.

While I greatly enjoy my current class, regardless of how much of a challenge they were in the past, I am really looking forward to implementing… >>>

I just finished RT101 and it has really made me analyze what my role is in the retention process.  I love my job and plan to stay with this school for a long time.  I will be implementing the strategies discussed in my last post (developing my own student surveys, taking feedback and working on issues of concern and making sure to have short one-on-one conversations with each student every class period) and making sure I stay committed to assisting my students through out their entire journey, all the way to graduation.  

This subject which was presented in Module 4 was excellent.  I really liked this module because I am a team player and I display this at all times at school with my staff, faculty and especially my students.  I work well with all including the students.  Students come in my office just to see how I am doing and if I can give him/her some advice for class studies for the day.  I also greet all students when I see them in the hallways, lunch area and the classrooms.  My attitude toward coming to work is my passion because this is what… >>>

The first issue to getting students to engage with their own learning is to agree to disagree and let them know that there is not an entitlement of education for them to pursue. There also has to be a mitigation of standards when it comes to the ability to connect with the students on more than just the classroom level.
 
You need to teach them empowerment and what that action can do for them based on the fact that they can truly accomplish anything. Then you look at engagement and the ability to find that common denominator that strikes… >>>

E-Learning and innovation are not new “buzz-words”, but if you are not adapting to them the challenge you will face might really push your limits. Moreover, failure to accept change will also be a struggle moving forward.
 
In today’s fast moving environment there is no question that we are being faced with decisions that we might not totally accept but we need to adapt and get on board. E-learning platforms takes technology and learning and combines them into a delivery process that accelerates traditional learning while reinforcing new adaptations that allows the end user the ability to have a… >>>

I also feel that my students sometimes get what I call senioritis and they begin to realize that there is little time left to prepare for the "real world"  I try to start from the very beginning to ascertain that they are well prepared to go out into the field and  obtain a job in their field.  I reitterate to them every time I sense a bit of nervousness I let them know that they are well prepared and to keep a positive attitude. 

I have also had students who panic when they are about to graduate.  They are terrified of the real world and so they drop out during their last quarter, or switch programs so that they have to start all over again. 

Success of failure is not a one day event or even a first week activity.  Its an entire program process.  Buyer remorse can happen at anytime.  The student will experience highs and lows throughout the school term.  Its our job to identify it in the early stage before it becomes an issue.

Communication is constant now a days.  Staff, faculty, other students, family and friends all play a role in retention.  We are not fighting for the right to study but for the development of an individual in their proper place in our community.  A community that is strengthen but… >>>